The first type of library that I visited was the School Library, at St. Paul's School in Clearwater.
St. Paul's School is located at 1600 St. Paul's Drive, and is an independent private school serving children ages Pre-K (3) through 8th grade. (http://www.st.pauls.edu/). The school currently has 386 students: 107 in Early Childhood (ranging age 3-1st grade), 161 in the Lower School (Grades 2-5), and 118 Middle School students Grades 6-8). This presents quite a range of students and reading abilities for the library of the school. The library currently has over 17,000 books, videos, and DVDs in the collection, as well as 6 electronic research databases, 250 traditional print reference books and a collection of graphic novels and books on MP3 for student pleasure reading.
The library itself is open and airy, full of light, and quite comfortable. There is a sunken area in the center surrounded by cushioned bench on three sides, with a large carpet in the center for story time and reading. (I am told by students that this is a magic carpet, but I can not confirm or deny these reports.) Younger students participate in weekly story time at the library during which they also check out their weekly book. Grades 3-5 are taught information skills as well, and have the opportunity to conduct research, read, and check out books.
The school librarian, Mr. McKenzie, is shown here conducting story time. Parent volunteers also conduct stories and help with the check out of books, shelving, book repair, and are also welcomed to use the library. Shown here is my husband also conducting story time during an earlier visit, and my daughter lounging in the library during her library time with her Kindergarten class. I have added photos due to the fact that outside visitors are generally not allowed in school libraries, and I wanted to give a better feel for the setting. (Please do not reproduce or use these photos.)
Mr. McKenzie is also a graduate of USF, having received his degree here in 1998. He went into Library Science after a career in education, and moved from the classroom to the library after graduating with the MLIS degree. He is active in several professional organizations, including ALA, AASL (the ALA section devoted to School Librarians) and the AISL, a separate organization devoted to librarians of Independent Schools. In fact, Mr. McKenzie had recently returned from the AASL Midwinter Meeting in San Diego when I spoke with him.
During our interview, we discussed some of the challenges that are particular to School Libraries, such as selecting books which are age appropriate for the students and parent involvement. Mr. McKenzie pointed out that he had never had a challenge of a book in the library, and that his predecessor had only received one challenge on material. This was surprising to me, given the diversity of materials and the ages of students in the school. Often, he admits, he will have to pass on a Young Adult selection which he enjoyed reading but which falls above the age group of the students. (At this point the interview is interrupted by a long discussion of a few of our favorite recent award winning YA books which would be inappropriate for 8th graders but we could happily discuss amongst ourselves...)
The only other time such questions have arisen for Mr. McKenzie is at the annual Book Fair, during which a local bookstore brings the selections, and many of the adult and Young Adult novels offered for sale do not fall within the age ranges of the students. Fortunately, the parents accompany students to the book fair and can make the decision of appropriateness for their own children. During the book fair as well as other times of the year, parents may also purchase books from wish lists which the library itself and each teacher in the school has prepared for their own classroom. In this way donations make up a large portion of the materials. The Birthday Club, in which parents or grandparents may donate books on a specific theme or topic inscribed with a dedication to that student for their birthday also add to the collection. Parent support and donations make up the majority of the budget for the library, but according to Mr. McKenzie, the parents at this school are very active and generous with their support. The library reports to the school administration only, as it is an Independent school and not managed by local school boards.
One main focus of Mr. McKenzie's attention currently is the development of updated curriculum for teaching information literacy to the students. Mr. McKenzie works with the students on conducting research effectively and using the databases that the school provides. Many of these databases are also available to students and teachers on line. Parents may also access the entire catalog of the library on line, but accessing these sites requires a parent log in and password which each parent receives at the beginning of the school year. (The same system also provide access to their child's grades, attendance, homework assignments, tests and other comments from NetClassroom.) There is also a blog of media center activity which is occasionally updated by one of the volunteers, and a calender of events but this is also restricted to parent members.
Again, due to the tender age of the students, the library does not allow access to social media or have any social media presence. The school itself has a facebook and twitter account for parents to follow, but all of the students in the school fall below the required age to legally have an account with these social media sites.
I would love to say that I would accept a job at this library in a heartbeat, if it wouldn't mean that I would be replacing Mr. McKenzie! Many of the dilemmas that I would have working in a school library setting appear absent from this school library. My only concern with working in this setting would be the lack of other staff, as Mr. McKenzie relies entirely on volunteers for assistance, although the volunteers are plentiful and dedicated. It is a great library to relax in and really promotes a pleasant learning atmosphere.
Note: the photos here are from the St.Pauls Media Center Community Group taken by Lesley DeMartini, and also from private photos for parents taken by Mr. Barcema, Kindergarten teacher. Please do not reproduce or replicate these photos. I have also taken care to only use photos which include my own daughter and her class, and not any other students.
No comments:
Post a Comment